September 2012 Field Trip and Meeting

Members took a trip to the "Heritage Gardens" of the Boone County Conservation District in Belvidere.  Staff wearing settler-style clothing led an informative tour of ethnic gardens similar to those planted by Norwegian, German, and Scottish immigrants, Yankee settlers, and Native Americans.

A garden in the shape of a butterfly!

October Garden of the Month

The garden of Jim and Deb Patton was selected as the October Garden.  The front yard is still full of colorful flowers and small pumpkins are perched on the fence.  Little scarecrows are tucked in the window boxes and around the yard.  In the back of the house you will find a tennis court, horse shoe pits and lots of room to play games.  Deb says a lot of her plants came from her mother's garden in Iowa.  And since her birthday is in September she received many of the asters and mums as birthday gifts.  

Barn Nursery Container Challenge

Two WGC teams entered the Fall Container Challenge at the Barn Nursery Friday August 31.  The teams had to create their own designs and bring their own pots and props.  The Barn provided a beautiful array of annuals and perennials the teams could choose from to use in their container.  The various teams then had 20 minutes to plant the container and come up with a name for their creation.

 

 

FIRST PLACE FOR $100

After the first round of judging both WGC teams were tied for First Place with three perfect 10's!  The judges then retreated into an office for a private consultation and then awarded First Place and a $100 gift certificate to the team of Becky and Lydia.  Anne, Sondra and Marita won Second Place and a $50 gift certificate.  Thanks Brenda for coming out to cheer on the teams!   

RUNNER-UP FOR $50

September Garden of the Month

The Woodstock Garden Club chose the garden of "Bear" and Ruth Dycus on N. Madison Street as the September Garden of the Month.  The couple has lived there for 58 years and designed all the landscaping around the house.  Besides watering, weeding and mowing "Bear" also takes care of their vegetable plot.  Produce they don't consume or share they preserve.  This year they will harvest over 200 lbs. of potatoes.  

 

Couples Dinner August 9

The Annual Couples Dinner was held at Becky Monroe's house.  Members brought various appetizers, side dishes and desserts to accompany the broasted chicken dinner. 

A change in the weather brought much needed rain and cooler temperatures so the party was brought indoors. A raffle was held and the proceeds will benefit the Woodstock Food Pantry.  Co-hostesses for the evening were Michelle Mueckenhoff and Mary Ellen Streit.

August Garden of the Month

The garden of Barry and Chris Lamb on Tara Drive was selected for August.  The couple has lived in the house on the corner over 18 years but has been updating the landscaping over the past 3 years. 

Amid the flower beds in the back of the house you can find a pretty fountain and a small pond filled with fish.  One of the goldfish is 8 years old!

 

Barry is growing vegetables on one side of the house and he just proudly harvested his first ear of corn.

July tour of Elaine's garden

The monthly meeting was held at the home of club member Elaine Showers. With the assistance of co-hostesses Betty Shultz and Mary Ellen Streit a delicious (and beautiful!) lunch buffet was served.  Afterwards members toured her beautiful gardens.